Posted By roming
Last week Comelec and the rest of the nation were more or less incredulous that the major candidates for president spent less than P400,000,000 each, though entitled to a maximum of P507 M (P10 x 50.7 M registered voters).
After a landslide victory
Let's take a closer look at the change in national leadership in Australia. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was head of the Labor Party that swept to power in a landslide triumph in 2007.
Rudd's deputy is a lady - Welsh-born Julia Gillard, 48, unmarried, tough lawyer and feminist trailblazer who bruised her ascent through the ranks of party leadership.
Changing of the guard
Last Thursday (June 24), Julia Gillard became Australia's first female prime minister. This was preceded by a sudden revolt within the ruling party. She challenged PM Rudd to hold a leadership ballot before the expected election this year. The PM admitted the party's factional power brokers had lost faith in him and did not contest the leadership at the party meeting, leaving Miss Julia to be elected unopposed.
Gillard and her deputy, Wayne Swan, were sworn in by Australia's first woman Governor General Quentin Bryce.
In Australia, as in Britain, electing a prime minister is strictly a party matter without wasting party or personal resources for a nationwide campaign and appeal to the voters.
Started in UK
On February 11, 1975, Margaret Thatcher, 49, wife of a wealthy businessman, was elected leader of the Conservative Party, defeating four male rivals. Women of all parties were exultant. Mrs. Thatcher tried to conceal her ecstasy but finally said: "I beat four chaps. Now let's get down to work." One of the four chaps, in near tears, promised: "We unite behind her."
The Iron Lady
On March 4, 1979, Thatcher became the first woman prime minister of Britain. The final seats tally was: Torries 339, Labour 269, etc.
Thatcher was described as Europe's "Iron Lady." She was prime minister from 1979 to 1990 and was called the most influential British political leader since Winston Churchill.
Margaret Thatcher was first elected to Parliament in 1959. She quickly rose to prominence after joining the true shadow Cabinet in 1967.
She succeeded Edward Heath as leader of the Conservative Party in 1975.
Thanks, no to self-praise
Both the new PM of Australia and Thatcher were party leaders who never indulged in self-praise using tax money. She was elected by 146 MPs of her party to lead Britain.
In the presidential system, both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama campaigned in states big and small for more than a year and raised campaign contributions for political ads, etc., of more than $1 billion, just for the two Democratic candidates.
Early birds
In RP, Noynoy started making himself available in September, 2009 after the death of President Cory in August and her long funeral seen in person and on TV by millions nationwide.
And the author's first article on the subject was titled, Noynoy can count! Erap and Manny Villar started exposing themselves for two years or more. After Erap was pardoned, he toured RP for his "Pasasalamat parade." It was an indirect way of saying "I'm now available for one more time."
If Senator Noynoy, candidate for senator on Erap's ticket in May, 2004, had not responded to what many now describe as destiny, Erap would be at the Luneta tomorrow for a second swearing in as president. But Erap's destiny/puersa ng masa is short by 5.7 M votes at the final tally by Congress on June 8.
The US model
In the US, as copied by RP, there could be a Republican-controlled Congress called "do-nothing" by Democratic President Truman. And in RP, opposition control of the House or Senate cannot be total but subject to terms often set by the Palace.
When our Congress convenes its first regular session on July 26 (fourth Monday), the House Speaker could be an LP, Sonny Belmonte, but his deputies (including the majority/minority floor leaders) will not function as they do in the US - strictly according to Democratic/Republican party rules.
Four Senate presidents in one year
In 1952, our Senate leadership changed hands four times: Camilo Osias replaced Quintin Paredes, Amang Rodriguez replaced Osias, Osias won back the Senate presidency and lost it again to Jose C. Zuelueta. The members of the Senate Press Club in 1952 reported that Senate Presidents had no time to "visit" the rest room even for a few minutes, fearing a sudden change in leadership in a matter of seconds. But two political giants at the time, Jose P. Laurel and Claro M. Recto, had never aspired for the Senate's top post and leadership.
Like a convenience store
Changing of the Guard
Between 1946 (election of President Roxas ) and 1965 (election of Ferdinand Marcos), the two-party system was supported by prominent personalities as a personal refuge of national politicians. In 1949, Senate President Jose Avelino had divided the LP by forming the Avelino wing as a third party for the presidential election in November, 1949.
In 1953 and 1965, LP Ramon Magsaysay and LP Ferdinand Marcos accepted nominations from the oldest party in RP - the old Nacionalista Party of Quezon and Osmeña formed for the First National Assembly election in 1907. (Comments are welcome at roming@pefianco.com).
